Introduction
This literary review provides an opportunity to gain the most valuable evidence-based knowledge that will contribute to gaining awareness of the root of the problem of childhood obesity. In addition, scientific sources identify interventions that may be effective in limiting the problem and improving the quality of health of the underage population. This literary review is based on an analysis of sources that were published no more than five years ago. This aspect limits the range of possible works and ensures compliance with the relevance and relevance of scientific papers.
Literary Review
There are many reasons that can cause an increase in body weight in children. The Centers for disease control and prevention notes that in 2017-2020 “obesity prevalence was 12.7% among 2- to 5-year-olds, 20.7% among 6- to 11-year-olds, and 22.2% among 12- to 19-year-olds” (Childhood obesity facts, n.d., para. 3). The main risk factors are both genetic predisposition, lifestyle, and external factors, such as the influence of society and information sources. These statistics indicate the need to find factors of influence and preventive measures to limit the problem under discussion.
A literary review showed that advertising plays a significant role in the formation of eating habits in children. This is because modern youth are highly exposed to various sources of information, among which the Internet and television are the leaders. Frequent depiction of such harmful products as fast food contributes to the formation of incorrect food preferences. In their research, Mayer et al. (2022) showed the need for transformation in this area. Hence, it has been shown that advertisements that focus on the benefits of a healthy diet while showing the positive effects are more effective.
Particular attention was paid to the interaction between various institutions to limit the problem of obesity in children. So, Day et al. (2019) investigated the productivity of implementing a healthy lifestyle program in schools, which implied the involvement of both education providers and parents and caregivers of children. Thus, minors will have to receive the necessary information about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and their closest social circle will have to strengthen this knowledge. The introduction of such programs and policies is valuable as a tool to combat obesity since these institutions are the main ones in the formation and development of a child.
Equally important is the involvement of the issue in the solution and collaboration with medical specialists. This is because they can provide practical assistance and guidance for parents of minors suffering from obesity or at risk. Sjunnestrand et al. (2019) emphasized the need to establish communication between parents and healthcare providers to improve preventive measures and expand education and awareness about the problem. Moreover, productivity was also shown by the use of motivational interviews conducted between healthcare providers and children (Enö Persson et al., 2022). They contribute to the improvement of prevention of childhood obesity measures and improve the quality of public health.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the increase in the number of obese or at-risk children is an area of concern for both society and healthcare providers. To limit the problem, it is necessary to find effective measures that will act as preventive policies and tools in changing the lifestyle of minors. This literary review showed the existence of a large number of scientific papers that provide various ways to combat childhood obesity by involving parents, education providers, and healthcare workers.
References
Childhood obesity facts. (n.d.). Center for disease control and prevention. Web.
Day, R. E., Sahota, P., & Christian, M. S. (2019). Effective implementation of primary school-based healthy lifestyle programs: A qualitative study of views of school staff. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1-16. Web.
Enö Persson, J., Leo Swenne, C., von Essen, L., Bohman, B., Rasmussen, F., & Ghaderi, A. (2022). Experiences of nurses and coordinators in a childhood obesity prevention trial based on motivational interviewing within Swedish child health services. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being, 17(1), 1–17. Web.
Mayer, J. M., Peev, P., & Mayer, A. (2022). Framing and word choice in childhood obesity reduction-focused advertising. Journal of Managerial Issues, 34(3), 264–284. Web.
Sjunnestrand, M., Nordin, K., Eli, K., Nowicka, P., and Ek, A. (2019). Planting a seed-child health care nurses’ perceptions of speaking to parents about overweight and obesity: A qualitative study within the STOP project. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1-11. Web.